Community Medicine (PSM) · Demography and Health Indicators

Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient are used in public health to measure:

  • A The distribution of disease burden across age groups
  • B Effectiveness of a health intervention by comparing pre/post event rates
  • C Relative risk reduction in RCT outcomes
  • D Income inequality within a population, with Gini = 0 representing perfect equality
Correct answer: D. Income inequality within a population, with Gini = 0 representing perfect equality

Explanation

The Lorenz curve plots cumulative income share against cumulative population share; a diagonal line represents perfect equality. The Gini coefficient (0–1) is the ratio of the area between the Lorenz curve and the diagonal to the total area below the diagonal. Gini = 0 means perfect equality; Gini = 1 means maximum inequality (one person holds all income). In public health, income inequality measured by Gini is a social determinant of health—higher Gini is associated with worse population health outcomes, higher infant mortality, and lower life expectancy independent of mean income.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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